Sober Cast: An (unofficial) Alcoholics Anonymous Podcast AA

Workshop: AA History (2.5hrs)

Bob S, sober in 1975 conducts a 2.5 hour workshop on AA History in July of 2014  Bob S. 

Barry L sober in 1945 speaking about the origin of the 3rd tradition (LGBTQ)

Barry L sober in 1945, speaking about the origin of the 3rd tradition at the 50th World Conference in Montreal in July 1985. He was the first openly gay member of AA. 

Tradition 3 - The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Barry passed away 3 weeks after this speak.

Barry is the author of the book Living Sober and was a great friend of Bill W and his wife Lois.

In 1978 Lois gave the original manuscript of the big book to Barry, and in 1979 Barry signed a notarized letter gifting the manuscript to A.A. World Services. In exchange, he asked only to be able to keep it in his possession until his death.

Somewhere between 1979 and Barry's death in 1985, everyone at A.A. World Services apparently forgot about this arrangement. The whereabouts of the manuscript remained unknown until it reappeared at an auction house in 2004, sold by a “Joseph B.” for $1.5 million. It was auctioned again in 2007 to Alabama resident Ken Roberts for $992,000.  A few months later, according to court documents, A.A. World Services rediscovered Barry's notarized letter.  

Last month (3/18) the manuscript was once again auctioned off, this time for $2.4 million.

Email: sobercast@gmail.com

Bill W and his wife Lois speaking in 1960

Bill W one of the founders of AA speaking in California in Jan. 1960 this includes a brief speak by his wife Lois W.

AA History: Bernard Smith who became a nonalcoholic trustee in 1946

This recording is a bit of AA history. Bernard Smith joined the board as a nonalcoholic trustee in 1946 and is speaking on the topic of unity at the Miami International in 1970 at the Sat Nite Big Meeting.

Joe and Charlie Big Book Workshop Part 2 of 8 (Repost)

Joe McQ and Charlie P met in 1973, they instantly discovered their mutual fascinations with AA's basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous commonly called "The Big Book". They would frequently meet to discuss The Big Book, often driving 225 miles to meet in each other's homes.

In 1977, some AA members met in a Tulsa, Oklahoma hotel room for a discussion on The Big Book. One member asked Joe and Charlie to come to his home group to present a program on The Big Book. A taping of that presentation was made and called "The Big Book Study". Through the circulation of these audio tapes throughout the Fellowship, Joe and Charlie received invitations to present the Study at AA conventions, roundups and special events.

At the AA International Convention in New Orleans in 1980, Wesley P, organized a lunch for 1,500 AA members from all over the world and gave away 100 Joe & Charlie tape sets as door prizes. Invitations exploded, and within a couple of years Joe & Charlie were presenting about 36 seminars a year worldwide. These seminars struck a deep chord within the AA members. This is a later recording from around 1999 and the audio quality is quite good.

Joe and Charlie Big Book Workshop Part 1 of 8 (Repost)

Joe McQ and Charlie P met in 1973, they instantly discovered their mutual fascinations with AA's basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous commonly called "The Big Book". They would frequently meet to discuss The Big Book, often driving 225 miles to meet in each other's homes.

In 1977, some AA members met in a Tulsa, Oklahoma hotel room for a discussion on The Big Book. One member asked Joe and Charlie to come to his home group to present a program on The Big Book. A taping of that presentation was made and called "The Big Book Study". Through the circulation of these audio tapes throughout the Fellowship, Joe and Charlie received invitations to present the Study at AA conventions, roundups and special events.

At the AA International Convention in New Orleans in 1980, Wesley P, organized a lunch for 1,500 AA members from all over the world and gave away 100 Joe & Charlie tape sets as door prizes. Invitations exploded, and within a couple of years Joe & Charlie were presenting about 36 seminars a year worldwide. These seminars struck a deep chord within the AA members. This is a later recording from around 1999 and the audio quality is quite good.

AA History: How We Got the Big Book (repost)

David A sober in 1967 speaking on the topic of - How We Got the Big Book - in Sanford FL in 1997.

Repost from 11/6... I have reposted this previously and Im doing it again, this is one of my favorite speaks about the creation of the big book & you will most likely see it posted again in a few months :)

Ebby: The man Bill W referred to as his sponsor

Ebby T was an old drinking friend of Bill W and later his sponsor in AA. He is credited with introducing Bill to the initial principles that AA would soon develop, such as one alcoholic talking to another.

If you would like to learn more about Ebby there is a very good book about him "Ebby: The Man Who Sponsored Bill W."

He sparked the creation of AA but was unable to maintain long term sobriety. Bill always called Ebby his "sponsor," and even though he had returned to drinking, Bill looked after his friend's welfare for the rest of his life. Ebby struggled on and off with sobriety over the years, and ultimately died sober in 1966.

This is the best quality recording I have found of Ebby, he is speaking in 1958 in Memphis TN.  http://amzn.to/2FDjK9r

AA archivist Gail LaC of Akron Ohio speaking about AA history

Gail LaC of Akron Ohio is an AA archivist and historian, her speak is about AA History. She became sober in May of 1978, her presentation at the 2011 Stateline Retreat contained photos but not having them does not detract from the speak.

 

Multiple Speakers: At the 75th Anniversary of The Big Book in Tarrytown NY

Two speakers at the 75th Anniversary of The Big Book in Tarrytown NY in 2014. First up is an Al Anon Speaker Joan L (Suffolk) and AA Speaker Steve S from the AA General Service Office.